Drinking hot tea with citrus peel could protect the body against skin cancer, US scientists say.

The researchers studied 450 people, half of whom had suffered a particular type of skin cancer, and quizzed them about their tea-drinking habits.

They found that those who developed skin cancer drank significantly less hot tea.

Citrus peel in the tea was found to have more than a 70% reduced risk for skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), whereas black tea alone meant a 40% reduction.

These studies have also shown a protective effect of tea against sunburn which may lead to skin cancer

Dr Jane McGregor, of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund

Researchers Iman Hakim and Robin Harris, of the University of Arizona, hope the study will help them develop food supplements to help prevent skin cancer.

Cancer charities have welcomed the research but want further studies.

They said that until there is more evidence people should continue following the safe sun message.

Brad Timms, science information officer for the Cancer Research Campaign, said he would like to see more research on the study.

"The most effective and proven way to avoid skin cancer is to avoid over-exposure to the sun and use a sunscreen with a high SPF," he added.

Imperial Cancer Research Fund dermatologist Dr Jane McGregor said the new study confirmed much of what had already been thought.

Arizona has one of the highest skin cancer rates

"There is good evidence in mice that tea (both green and black tea) provides significant protection against both the acute (sunburn) and long-term (skin cancer) effects of ultraviolet light.

"The only human studies to date have applied topical constituents of green tea onto the skin and then exposed it to harmful UV rays. These studies have also shown a protective effect of tea against sunburn which may lead to skin cancer.

"It follows, at least in theory, that ingestion of tea may have protective effects against skin cancer. This field of work merits serious consideration and further research."

The study was carried out in Arizona, which has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the US.

But scientists found that iced drinks were less effective than the hot beverages as they were more likely to be diluted.

Skin cancer

There are about 1.2m new case of non-melanoma skin cancer each year in US

The majority of the cases result from high exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun

The incidence of skin cancer is expected to rise even further because of the depletion of the ozone layer

The report said: "Subjects who reported consumption of both hot black tea and citrus peel had a significant marked decrease risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).